Acta Non Verba

In this episode, Dr. Megan McElheran, a clinical psychologist and CEO of Before Operational Stress, Inc. discusses stoicism's practical applications and the misinterpretations associated with it. Dr. McElheran shares her extensive work with trauma-exposed professionals, including military personnel and first responders, and highlights the importance of managing stress and trauma. Marcus and Dr. McElheran delve into the concept of post-traumatic growth, the necessity of facing adversities, and maintaining mental health resilience. The conversation also touches on Dr. McElheran's Bataan Death March experience, underscoring the significant lessons in resilience and determination. Episode Highlights: 02:29 The Misconceptions of Stoicism 08:04 The Impact of Trauma on First Responders 29:32 Stoic Wisdom for Overcoming Hardship 31:10 The Hero's Journey and Personal Growth 32:22 Embracing Pain and Suffering 37:55 Curating Thoughts and Building Confidence 40:20 The Bataan Death March: A Lesson in Endurance Dr. Megan McElheran, CEO of Wayfound Mental Health Group in Calgary, AB, is a Clinical Psychologist with 16 years of expertise in Operational Stress Injuries (OSI). Specializing in active-duty military, Veterans, and public safety personnel, she focuses on assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Driven by a passion for OSI prevention and resilience enhancement, she developed the BOS program. Exploring innovative approaches, she's delving into psychedelic medicine for psychological injuries. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dr. McElheran shares her insights nationally. Her recent publication in the European Journal of Psychotraumatology, "Functional Disconnection and Reconnection," sheds light on novel strategies for public safety personnel's well-being. You can find out more here: https://www.beforeoperationalstress.com/ Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Acta Non Verba, host Marcus Aurelius Anderson sits down with Ed Latimore, a heavyweight boxer, Army veteran, author, and physicist. Ed shares his journey from a challenging upbringing to success in the ring and beyond, discussing the lessons learned from boxing, overcoming adversity, addiction, and the power of personal responsibility. The conversation dives deep into mindset, writing, and the realities of life as a professional fighter and author.   Episode Highlights: [1:40] Ed’s return to boxing at age 40 and health journey [6:40] The impact of environment and relationships on life trajectory [14:00] Ed’s experiences with adversity, education, and pivotal life decisions [29:00] How boxing changed Ed’s life and helped him achieve sobriety [36:00] Misconceptions about professional boxing and the economics of the sport [51:00] Ed’s writing process and the making of his new book Ed Latimore is a heavyweight boxer, Army veteran, physicist, and bestselling author. Sober since 2013, Ed is known for his candid writing on personal development, addiction, and resilience. His latest book, "Hard Lessons from the Hurt Business: Boxing and The Art of Life," draws from his experiences in and out of the ring. Ed is also a sought-after speaker and maintains a strong online presence, sharing insights on mindset, discipline, and overcoming adversity. Learn more at edlatimore.com.   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this solo Warrior Wisdom episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson breaks down the three essential parts of the art of leadership—philosophy, science, and application. He shares actionable insights and real-world examples to help you master self-leadership and guide others through adversity.   Episode Highlights: 01:35 – Defining the art, philosophy, science, and application of leadership 03:00 – The three parts of leadership explained 03:20 – Philosophy: Principles, vision, and values 03:50 – Science: The scientific method, KPIs, and SOPs 06:05 – Application: The human element and real-world decision making 10:10 – The importance of culture and self-policing teams 12:16 – Applying leadership lessons to all areas of life   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this powerful episode, Marcus sits down with Jeff Smith, founder of The Tactical Empire and author of "Operation Wealth." Jeff shares his journey from special operations to entrepreneurship, the importance of intentional living, and how to build true financial freedom. The conversation covers family, resilience, mindset, and actionable strategies for creating a life based on actions, not words.   Episode Highlights: 7:00 – Lessons from the military: default aggression and taking action 11:00 – The dangers of overthinking and the paralysis of perfection 20:00 – Financial education: why most people never learn true wealth-building 27:00 – Infinite banking and building generational wealth 47:00 – Overcoming limiting beliefs and the sunk cost fallacy   Jeff Smith is a former special operator, Fortune 50 executive, gym owner, business mentor, and bestselling author. He leads The Tactical Empire, a movement empowering men to achieve financial independence and live with purpose.   Resources & Links: Get Jeff’s book: "Operation Wealth" on Amazon Learn more: The Tactical Empire Connect with Jeff: @realjeffsmith on Instagram Join the Tactical Empire Community on Facebook   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What could you achieve if you weren’t afraid of being laughed at? Today I’m sitting down with author and speaker Steve Sims as he shares the secret to building community, establishing authority, and taking calculated risks to achieve new levels of success. Listen as Steve and I explore why being author is an opportunity for more things, learning to lean into your community, and how to accept the fact that there will be turmoil in order to achieve your goals.   For more than two decades, Steve Sims was the go-to contact for the wealthiest people on the planet. As the founder of the world’s leading experiential concierge firm, Sims utilized his talent for connecting with people’s passions and making things happen to develop a client list of the world’s rich and famous. He has also been a keynote speaker for Harvard, the Pentagon, Mastermind Talks, and the Entrepreneur Society of San Francisco. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife, kids, dogs, and a lot of motorcycles. Go For Stupid: The Art of Achieving Ridiculous Goals is the follow-up to his first book, Bluefishing: The Art of Making Things Happen.   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finding opportunities to exercise gratitude allow us to keep growing through Adversity. In this episode Janice Bryant Howroyd shares her life-altering experiences of disfigurement, segregation, and family illness and how she has learned to seek moments of gratitude in each. During this conversation Janice teaches how deprivation breeds appreciation, why vulnerability leads to clarity, and how you can create an impact with your company by helping the individuals within it.   Janice Bryant Howroyd is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Act One Group, a global leader providing customized cutting-edge solutions and the human resources industry. The Act One Group is a multibillion dollar, award winning, international talent and talent technology enterprise with multiple divisions at each service, unique area of employment and provides talent management solutions. She is currently ranked number 39 on Forbes list of America's richest self-made women.   Learn more about Janice and purchase her book here: http://askjbh.com/books/   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Marcus Aurelius Anderson discusses the popular advice 'never meet your heroes' and why he believes it is overly simplistic and often misleading. Drawing from his own experiences as a leadership coach, author, and speaker, Marcus shares the lessons he learned from meeting his heroes, such as the co-founder of Quest Nutrition, Stephen Pressfield, and other prominent entrepreneurs. He emphasizes the importance of seeing heroes as humans, not placing them on pedestals, and understanding that success requires hard work, not handouts. Marcus provides actionable advice on how to approach meeting your heroes and underscores the need for focused action and dedication to achieve personal success.   Episode Highlights: 00:47 Why 'Never Meet Your Heroes' is Bad Advice 01:46 Personal Experiences with Heroes 02:54 Advice on Meeting Your Heroes 05:08 Actionable Steps for Personal Growth   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jack Donovan joins me to discuss what it means to be a man and defining true masculinity. During our conversation Jack and I explore who to trust, the fear of masculinity tied to protection, and how duty is tied to identity. Jack also dives into the concept of toxic masculinity and how to address it in everyday life.   Jack Donovan is the author of The Way of Men — a straightforward, politically incorrect theory of masculinity that became an underground hit around the world.   You can learn more about Jack here: https://www.jack-donovan.com/   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, former Green Beret Chris Lee discusses his new book 'Legacy Forged', designed to help people through intentional planning, identity shifts, and strategic goal setting. The conversation explores the importance of daily consistent actions, overcoming adversity, leveraging meditation and rest for heightened performance, and the practical use of AI in boosting productivity and decision-making. Listeners will gain valuable insights into transforming intentions into actions and fostering self-mastery through rigorous yet attainable protocols.   Episode Highlights: 03:42 The Importance of Progress Over Perfection 11:50 The Art of Recovery and Rest 26:38 Gratitude and Mindset Shifts 29:55 The Pursuit of Validation 31:39 Shifting Motivations 36:01 AI in Everyday Tasks 38:04 The Future of AI and Entertainment 41:34 The Importance of Adaptation 52:12 Commitment to Consistency   Chris Lee is a former Green Beret turned high-performance coach and business consultant who helps driven individuals and organizations operate at elite levels. With over a decade of service as an 18D Special Forces Medical Sergeant, Chris brings deep expertise in leadership, resilience, and decision-making under pressure. Today, he uses that experience to guide high-achievers in unlocking their full potential, strengthening their mindset, and building legacies that endure. Whether working with executives, teams, or entrepreneurs, Chris is committed to helping others lead with clarity, perform with purpose, and rise to their next level of excellence.   Connect with Chris on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/coach_chris.lee/ Purchase “Legacy Forged” here: https://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Forged-90-Day-Command-Discipline/dp/B0F844XH75   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Victoria, an immigrant from the former Soviet Union who has built a successful practice in nutrition and health discusses the themes of resilience, Adversity, and the philosophy of living a life based on actions over words. The conversation spans a wide array of topics including personal growth, political ideologies, the shortcomings of modern education, the influence of big pharma and big food, and the importance of free speech. Victoria shares her personal journey, from her difficult childhood to her success in the U.S., offering insights into the challenges she faced and how they shaped her mindset.   Episode Highlights: 02:25 Victoria's Journey from the Soviet Union 15:55 Experiences of Communism and Immigration 22:06 Challenges of Assimilation and Cultural Differences 52:16 The Influence of Social Media 57:57 Parenting and Societal Changes 01:09:45 Historical Parallels and Modern Consequences 01:26:37 Education and Media's Role in Society 01:31:28 Critique of DEI and Identity Politics 01:32:22 The Importance of Free Speech 01:32:27 Censorship and Social Media 01:37:58 The Role of Media and Misinformation   Learn more about the gift of Adversity and my mission to help my fellow humans create a better world by heading to www.marcusaureliusanderson.com. There you can take action by joining my ANV inner circle to get exclusive content and information.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.